A self-aligning ball bearing has two rows of balls with common spherical raceways in the outer ring. This function endows them with the properties of self-alignment and helps them to perform perfectly, even with a minor shaft misalignment (up to 2.5 – 3 degrees) relative to the housing, making especially useful for applications where errors in mounting or shaft deflection can result in misalignment.

Self-aligning ball bearings also create less friction than other bearing types, allowing them to operate at higher speeds without building up too much heat. As a result, for low- to medium-sized loads, self-aligning ball bearings are more fitting.

Self-Aligning Ball Bearings are available in various designs including: open, sealed, tapered bore c/w adapter sleeve and also an extended inner ring version with special bore tolerances for applications employing commercial ground shafting.